Liturgics and Translations
The mission of the Department of Liturgics and Translations is twofold: both to provide parishes with approved liturgical texts, and to provide education and guidance as to the best and most appropriate practice of liturgics. Because liturgical rubrics and liturgical music share so many overlapping areas of concern, this department also works closely with the Department of Sacred Music. As the only source for archdiocesan-approved liturgical texts, the staff of this department is continually hard at work translating, re-working, and publishing service books that will help parishes navigate various kinds of liturgical situations and occasions. For example, knowing that our archdiocese now has more bishops than ever before, and that our parishes enjoy hosting them and praying with them, the department recently developed a book to help priests serve alongside their bishops smoothly and properly. As the department goes forward, it hopes to continue meeting the evolving needs of our unique Antiochian-American liturgical tradition while simultaneously safeguarding the tradition as it has been handed down to us.
An online liturgical guide is provided for each Sunday on this webpage; it includes variations in the order of service and the variable texts for the day. As this department exists to serve the immediate needs of parish liturgical life, it welcomes comments, suggestions, and questions
Contact:
The Department of Liturgics and Translations
V. Rev. Edward Hughes, Chairman
103 Pleasant St
Methuen, MA 01844
(978) 685-4052 or (978) 686-3274
fredwardh@aol.com
Liturgical Calendar for 2013
Church Calendar for the Year 2013
Liturgical Calendar for 2012
Church Calendar for the Year 2012
2012 Liturgical Guide Now Available
Click here to download order form (PDF)
His Eminence Metropolitan Philip writes:
Beloved Clergy, Chanters and Choir Directors:
Greetings in the name of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ.
We do hereby bless and approve the 2012 edition of The Liturgical Guide published by the Department of Liturgics and Translations of our Archdiocese. This guide should be used and referenced by all eastern rite parishes in our God-protected Archdiocese without exception. As the Apostle Paul stated in his letter to the Corinthians [I Corinthians 14:40), “Let all things be done decently and in order."
Orthodox Music Society Announces Online Publishing
Proceedings Books from ISOCM ConferencesJOENSUU, FINLAND [ISOCM] -- The International Society for Orthodox Church Music is pleased to announce that its new on-line publication, the Journal of the International Society for Orthodox Church Music, is accepting submissions for publication.
The first issue will be available as a PDF download on the ISOCM site in Spring 2012.
The ISOCM was founded with the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Leo of Karelia and all Finland by an international group of musicians and scholars after the First International Conference on Orthodox Church Music, “The Traditions of Orthodox Music”, held at the University of Joensuu in University of Joensuu in June 2005. Members of the ISOCM are found around the world and in a variety of positions related to Orthodox Church music.
The ISOCM is delighted that Professors Hilkka Seppälä (University of Eastern Finland), and Christian Troelsgaard (University of Copenhagen), distinguished scholars in the field of Orthodox Church music, have agreed to be members of the Board of Honour.
Members of the Editorial Board include Dr. Yuliya Artamonova (Gnessin Russian Academy of Music, Moscow), Dr. Nicolae Gheorghita (National University of Music, Bucharest), Dr. Alexander Lingas (City University, London), Dr. Ivan Moody (Editor; CESEM – Universidade Nova, Lisbon), Dr. Aleksander Naumow (Jagiellonian University, Cracow), Dr. Nicolas Schidlovsky (Princeton University), Maria akala-Roszczenko, TM, FM (Secretary of the ISOCM; University of Eastern Finland), and Nikita Simmons (Editorial Secretary of JISOCM, Portland, Oregon, USA).
New AFR Podcast "Let My Prayer Arise" Focuses on the Psalter
The Psalms have been called the “Hymn Book of the Church” and contain rich and prophetic references to Christ. In this new Ancient Faith Radio podcast, "Let My Prayer Arise," Fr. Wilbur Ellsworth, priest at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Church in Warrenville, Illinois, will be taking listeners through the Psalter to help them make the Psalms the prayer of their hearts. "The Lord's Prayer is the flower and the fruit, of the roots, stalk and stem of the Psalms," says Fr. Ellsworth. "When we pray, we are not alone," he adds. The Psalms, he explains, have three important aspects. First, they are a historical connection to the prayers of God's people. Secondly, the Psalms are Christological--Jesus Himself pointed out that the Psalms spoke of Himself. "They are nothing less than the prayers of our Lord Jesus Christ Himself. He would have been immersed in these prayers from infancy." Third, the Psalms are liturgical. "In this podcast, we will often reflect on where and how these Psalms are used in the Orthodox liturgy," promises Fr. Wilbur.
"I encourage you to listen with the Psalm text before you. Begin to read, and then, to memorize."
2011 Liturgical Guide Now Available
Place your order for the 2011 Liturgical Guide Today!Click here to download order form (Word Format)
Fr. Elia Shalhoub writes:
Beloved in Christ:
Greetings and best wishes to you in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
With the Grace of God and the blessings of our beloved Father in Christ His Eminence Metropolitan Philip I have prepared the 2011 Liturgical Guide which I have been preparing every year for the last Thirteen years.
For the Last 4 years, with Sayadna Philip’s blessings I took the chance to print and distribute the Guide on my own, I would like to thank every parish and every individual who supported the use of the hard copy of the Guide by purchasing one or more.
Improved Liturgical Resources Page Launched
The editors of Antiochian.org recently launched a newly improved Liturgical Resources section, accessed on the menu bar of the website's home page. One of the site's most popular destinations, the Resources page now features categories such as "Articles," "Music Resources," and "Podcasts and Audio." An aggregation of the most critical liturgical tools required by chanters, choir directors, deacons and priests, the page is also helpful to laypeople involved in Bible study groups or choir. Browsers can download music, an Akathist, even the Antiochian Archdiocese's well-loved "Little Red Prayer Book."
Recently, Antiochian.org spoke with the Very Rev. Fr. David Barr, respected Antiochian liturgist and Director of the St. Romanos Chanter's Training Program, about the importance of liturgy and music in the life of the Church.
1. Generally speaking, do parish musicians usually need formal training to chant in church? Why/why not? What would you recommend for that musically inclined parishioner who might be interested in chant, but shy?
To chant properly using Byzantine chant, one needs some formal training. Even though a great deal of Byzantine music exists today in western notation, it is important to understand the ethos.
Liturgical Calendar for 2010
Church Calendar for the Year 2010
| Calendar for: | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 |
| Holy Pascha | April 4 | April 24 | April 15 |
| Western Easter | April 4 | April 24 | April 8 |
Audio Available of Department of Liturgics Presentation at Archdiocese Convention
Click here to listen to Department Chair V. Rev. Edward Hughes' presentation at the general assembly of the 2009 Archdiocese Convention.
More audio from the 2009 Convention is available from Ancient Faith Radio.